How to Stop Procrastinating: 3 Brain Hacks to Get More Done

A person at a desk with a comically long to-do list, looking at a phone with a video of a cat playing a piano, with a mix of guilt and amusement on their face.

You know that feeling when you have a to-do list the length of a CVS receipt, but you suddenly feel a biological imperative to research the migratory patterns of the Arctic Tern? Yeah, me too. Welcome to the Procrastination Club. Our first meeting is next Tuesday. Or the Tuesday after. We’ll figure it out.

Let’s be real: telling a procrastinator “just do it” is like telling someone who’s afraid of heights to “just jump.” It’s not helpful, and honestly, a little rude. So why do we do it? Why do we choose the short-term comfort of watching a guy on YouTube build a swimming pool with his bare hands over, say, filing our taxes?

A cartoon brain with a responsible adult character on one side and a demanding toddler character on the other, fighting for control.

Your Brain on “I’ll Do It Later”

Now, before your eyes glaze over, let’s talk brain science. It’s actually pretty cool.

Your brain is a tag-team wrestling match. In one corner, the Prefrontal Cortex, the responsible one who makes plans. In the other, the Limbic System, a toddler demanding a cookie now. When faced with a boring or stressful task (like your expense reports), the toddler has a meltdown. The easiest way to quiet it down? A cookie in the form of a cat video.

This creates a reward loop: stress → procrastination → immediate relief. A habit is born. So, no, you’re not lazy; your inner toddler is just in charge of your motivation.

Takeaway: It’s not a character flaw; it’s a biological tug-of-war. Feel better? Good. Now let’s arm the adult in the room.

A person looking up at a huge mountain labeled THE TASK, with a path broken down into small, easy steps, and the person is just taking the first step.

How to Trick Yourself Into Being Productive

Alright, enough theory. Here are a few productivity hacks to trick yourself into being productive.

1. The Two-Minute Rule

This is one of the simplest procrastination tips, which is why it works. Pick a task and do it for just two minutes. That’s it. Want to clean the kitchen? Just load two dishes. Need to write that report? Just write one sentence. Starting is the hardest part. After two minutes, you’ll often think, “Well, I’m here…” It’s the ultimate trick to get more done.

2. Break It Down

A task like “Clean the Garage” is overwhelming. Your brain hits the panic button and orders a pizza. For beating procrastination, you have to break it down into tiny steps.

“Take out a trash bag.”
“Throw away five things.”
“Put one rake on its hook.”

Each checkmark gives your brain a dopamine hit, making you want to do more. It’s a great way to improve your focus.

3. Create a “Fear-cast”

Sometimes, the best motivation is drama. Instead of a to-do list, make a what-if-I-don’t list.

What’s the worst that could happen if I don’t do this? (e.g., “If I don’t file my taxes, I’ll get audited and pay huge fines.”)
What’s the long-term cost of inaction? (e.g., “The anxiety will keep me up, it will get more complicated, and I’ll miss out on my tax return.”)

Suddenly, doing the task seems less painful than not doing it.

Takeaway: Make the task smaller, or make the consequences bigger. These are key time management skills.

A person giving a thumbs-up to their tired but proud reflection in a mirror, representing self-acceptance and progress.

Embrace the Progress

So, the next time you’re alphabetizing your spice rack to avoid your inbox, remember you’re not broken. You’re human. And now you have a few new tricks for how to stop procrastinating.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve been meaning to write this article since last week. Progress, not perfection, right?

Still reading? You’re my favorite.